Tokyo, Japan (BBN)-Japanese shares headed higher on Thursday despite trade data for August coming in below market expectations.
Exports rose 3.per cent from a year ago, falling short of the 4% predicted, while imports fell a more-than-expected 3.1% in the same period, reports BBC.
Investors also ignored a credit rating downgrade for Japan by US ratings agency S&P, because of a weakening outlook for the economy.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 1.4 per cent to 18,432.27.
The index has risen for a third consecutive day.
Australian shares headed higher, following the global lead, after US shares were positive ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on whether to raise interest rates for the first time in almost a decade.
“Price action in European and US equity markets suggests no-one wants to be left behind if the Federal Reserve announces something risk-friendly,” said Chris Weston, chief market strategist at trading firm IG.
In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 0.9 per cent to 5,146.80 points.
China trades mixed
Chinese shares headed higher, following on from Wednesday’s trend, when mainland shares rallied to close up nearly 5 per cent.
The Shanghai Composite was up 1.6 per cent to 3,202.42, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was higher by 0.6 per cent at 22,089.24 in afternoon trade.
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index finished trading flat at 1,976.49 as investors awaited the Fed’s decision.
BBN/SK/AD
